Livin in the Sun Music Festival

The team at My Anguilla Experience had the opportunity to experience the first Livin in the Sun music festival. While we could not attend every event, we share our experiences from the events we attended. Join Shelly, Sherise and Nash below for Livin in the Sun.

World Wide Love with Shelly

Nash and I boarded the small boat to Sandy Island around noon. The sea was calm and a deep shade of blue. The guests and the boat operators were laughing and talking and it was obvious that everyone was looking forward to having fun in the sun at the music festival. In a few minutes we were off to the magical little island in the middle of the ocean known as Sandy Island.

As Anguilla started to fade in the distance I enjoyed the views of the ocean and Anguilla from a vantage point not often seen. The boat made a turn and Sandy Island came into view.  Beautiful orange umbrellas lined the beach. As we got closer I saw persons swimming in the ocean and lounging on colourful and comfortable chaises and beach chairs. The music added to the festive atmosphere.

The boat guys pulled up as close to shore as possible but we still had to step into the amazingly refreshing seawater to get to shore. Once on shore Nash and I decided to explore. We walked along the beach stopping to chat as we saw familiar faces. There was plenty of staff around ensuring that the experience at Livin in the Sun was awesome for each guest.

Livin in the Sun is an all-inclusive party and many persons were enjoying their drinks from the cutest little plastic coconut containers. The sweet aroma of lobsters made my mouth water and drew me to the grills. My lobster which was served with pasta and green salad did not disappoint. Later in the day I had finger licking good ribs.

Watching the DJ create music, spin and rock was an experience all by itself. It is always amazing to be around persons who are passionate about what they do. It was definitely music I could move to. I found myself swaying and dancing as I moved about the island throughout the day.

New Friends at Livin in the Sun

I met some interesting persons at Livin in the Sun. I met Jet Set Sarah who really is a little ball of energy. It was also great to meet and chat with Rosalind who has the blog Farsighted Fly Girl. It was nice to speak to House DJs Montana Monti and Nadeeah Eshe from Spirit and Motion and DJ Kristel Morin. They all loved the island, the vibe of the festival and looked forward to returning. I met the Canadian tourism representatives and lovely visitors from Canada, New York and Germany who were all enjoying themselves at Livin in the Sun.

I spent parts of the day socializing, other moments exploring and yet other times I was content to lounge around and enjoy the music. After a great afternoon Livin in the Sun, we boarded the boat to head back to Anguilla leaving behind the tiny sandy island in the ocean. We took with us memories and new friendships formed at Livin in the Sun.

Sherise was Marooned at Sandy Island

A beautiful and sunny Sunday was the backdrop for Day 2 of the Sandy Island festivities for Livin in the Sun (LITS) Music Festival. We arrived at Sandy Ground a bit after 2, collected our passes and we were off! The boat was packed with excited festival goers as we headed over to the island. Although the boat ride is pretty short, I really enjoyed it from the wind blowing through my fro to the refreshing sprays of seawater. I could feel my excitement building as Sandy Island came closer into view and the sweet sounds of reggae and soca and the smell of mouthwatering crayfish called to me. As we departed the boat, my first thought was “The vibes are definitely nice!”

Things to Do at Livin in the Sun

Festival goers could be seen enjoying a number of activities from dancing, face and body painting, playing volley ball to simply just relaxing with a drink and some food and enjoying the lively atmosphere and the good music courtesy DJ Krave and DJ Sugar. We spent our afternoon engaged in the latter activity. If you know me, you know I love to eat and Sandy Island has always been one of my favourite places to enjoy a great meal. LITS festival was no exception. I will admit that I might have had about two-three plates of food of crayfish, chicken, mahi mahi, rice, pasta and coleslaw. It was just too good to not go back for seconds and in my case thirds!

It was definitely a great afternoon topped off by awesome crowd participation in the ever-popular mannequin challenge – LITS Festival Edition! A fun ending to an amazing day.

Looking forward to being ‘marooned’ on Sandy Island again for LITS Festival 2017. I hope you join us next time!

Check out Sherise’s blog The Business of Chic for more details on what she wore to Livin in the Sun+ as well as for style and fashion inspiration.

Nash at Sun Rise

When I was eleven years old my father announced that we were going to Junks Hole for lunch. I had no idea what or where Junks Hole was. It didn’t matter that I was only living in Anguilla for a year. I had made it my business to find out where places were because this place was completely new to me. The drive took us a while until we got to Island Harbour then turned into a dirt road. I remember passing all the houses and then there was bush, just bush. I wanted to ask my father if he had gone crazy by taking us in some random bush for food. However, my tenacity towards cowardice won me over and I kept my mouth shut as we drove along the winding and bumpy dirt road until we emerged out unto a clearing with a small shack, surrounded by coconut trees, on the other end and a pristine white sandy beach behind it. I immediately remembered the smell off food because by then I was so hungry. I can’t recall what I had but we did go back several times, especially to enjoy the secluded beach.

Fast forward a couple more years, and I found myself driving down this same dirt round, albeit being less bumpy, thinking that I have not gone out to a party like this in years. I can see no other vehicles and the only light and company I have are my radio and the brightest full moon I have seen in my entire life. Although, there are several branches off on the dirt road I knew I was going the right direction because signs to Nat’s Place (the restaurant) were there to guide me along. I emerged on the same clearing that I did many years ago, to the familiar building. Only this time it wasn’t only the food that beckoned me along but the music as well.

Music and Bonfire

This was “Livin in the Sun” a new music festival in Anguilla. Shelly and I went to the Sandy Island session the day before and I was impressed by DJs, the food and drinks, the professionalism and the security that were on Sandy Island there that I decided that leaving my bed would be worth it. I went inside and I met and greeted some familiar faces. Natty and the House had not too long finished their regular Sunday afternoon gig but on the deck the DJ for the moment, a young local guy by the name of DJ Black Pheonix had the place lit up. I mean lit up, figuratively and literally. He had music for everybody. Meanwhile Johnny cakes were being ushered out of the kitchen like it was a hot cake party.

 

The next DJ on the deck was a guy out of New York that calls himself DJ Krave. He had some of the latest music plus some old-school dancehall and hip hop that I hadn’t heard in a long time. The girls really liked his styles because by then they ruled the dance floor and had the guys standing around like it was a night at the Coliseum.

And since it was Livin in the Sun and the moon wasn’t bright enough the bonfire was lit and it was immense, bright, hot, and awesome. Everyone loved it and the party mood it embodied. By now DJ Krave was being swapped by Spirits in Motion, a female duo that plays a deeper and more Afro centric kind of music that emphasizes the traditional drum and the spirit of movement and love.

Sadly, by now it was getting late and I knew I had to be early for work the next morning. As I was leaving I met some friends who were just coming in the join the party. They later told me that I missed the mannequin challenge as well as hearing DJ Outkast from neighbouring St Maarten. I met and talked to him a few hours earlier so I didn’t feel all too bad.

Livin in the Sun surprised me and I am glad to hear that it will be an annual event. I had a great time and hopefully next year I will again get to meet more DJs and other artists and make new friends.

Contact Us

Great job to Simone Connor and team for organising the event. Get updates on next year’s festival at www.livinginthesun.com. Follow Livin in the Sun at Facebook.com/Litsfesival.

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Check out the links below to read about other festivals and event in Anguilla

Welches Fest

August Monday

Festival Del Mar

South Valley Street Fair

South Hill Community Fair